It originated as the White Rats' Union, which was founded and chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1900.
[2] Instead, in 1919, it merged into the Associated Actors and Artistes of America (4As), but remained an autonomous organization, as the American Artistes' Federation.
In 1939, the AFA was disbanded by the AFL for financial mismanagement.
The AFL subsequently issued a charter to the succeeding American Guild of Variety Artists, with some AFA members joining the Actors' Equity Association.
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